A Week in Killington, VT

A year after we got married Rob taught me how to ski and I've been hooked ever since. However, I will admit that I'm not a daredevil skier; I enjoy the easy and intermediate trails and prefer to ski when the conditions are good rather than sliding on ice. I guess it's because I'm getting on in years and can't afford to be out for an injury.

Any who.. last year I sucked it up my fears of going to a bigger mountain and we took our first big ski trip up to Smugglers Notch up by Stowe, Vermont with some friends. To continue in the tradition, this year we took another Vermont ski trip and ended up at Killington with another couple we're good friends with.

Although they had plenty of trails open while we were there, the conditions weren't the best. When we went to Smuggs there was fresh powder which is awesome to ski on. Since this winter hasn't been that cold or snowy, it was somewhat icy up on the mountain. They'd groom but it was definitely frozen granular and there were even giant chunks of icy mixed up in the snow, which definitely wasn't fun when my ski tripped over one and resulted in me taking my first tumble of my skiing "career."

Despite the conditions we still had a great time and landed an awesome townhouse on the mountain. We had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an awesome kitchen, living room, dining room and fireplace, The appliances were even pretty great - we had all stainless steel in the kitchen and large plasmas throughout the house. The master bathroom even had a jacuzzi bathtub that's bigger than my master closet at home! The house was also conveniently located across from the indoor community pool and hot tub. Since we were there mid-week we had the place all to ourselves, so afternoon hot tub runs were quickly chosen as the perfect way to unwind.

Below are a few pictures from our trip, which was over our birthdays. Yes, we're in our last year of our 20s and it sucks.

Rob, me, Mike and Jacki stop for a picture before heading down the mountain

At the top of Killington Peak - more than 4200 feet up!

Another shot from the top of Killington Peak.

Killington, VT from our place in the Fall Line Condos.

Loved the roaring fires we had going each day.

Valentine's Day

Although most holidays have gotten overly commercial, Valentine's Day is particularly nauseating since it ends up being a show-off competition of who got fancy flowers, expensive chocolates, jewelery or was taken out for a lavish meal. Maybe it wasn't as noticeable before social media blew up, but it was crazy how my Facebook stream was filled with photos of all the gifts people received on February 14.

In my opinion, if you love someone you shouldn't need a particular day to remind them of that. And, if you're single the last thing you'd want is a day to remind you that you don't have a significant other to shower you with gifts.

I don't need a special day for Rob to let him know he loves me, but I was very appreciative when he came home with a gorgeous bouquet of roses and I received a beautiful card and chocolates from my dad. I'm still not a fan of this holiday, but it's nice to be included in the lovey dovey day so many enjoy.

My take on the movie "Water for Elephants"

I know it's been out for a while but I finally had a chance to sit down and watch Water for Elephants, a movie about a vet student who joins a traveling circus after his parents are killed in a car accident.

Although the movie had some good parts, like how the members are like a family, it just reminded me of why I don't like the circus: cruelty to animals. I'm sure circus owners will say how well they treat the animals and the people who work for them; however, behind this love story the movie explains how it's all about the money. The animals were fed old food, forced to work when they were dying, had their teeth removed and were horribly beaten for various reasons. Sure it was nice to watch Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattison (although I'm definitely not a Pattison freak), but the way the poor little elephant, Rosie, gets beaten by the owner was absolutely sickening.

I've been to the circus maybe twice in my life - both times with Rob since he enjoys that "stuff" - but after seeing this movie I can safely say I will never, ever go again.